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That familiar indulging smile came to her lips as Jasper stared at her, trying to understand. “I see things,” Edith said with a shrug. “I cannot help it.”
Jasper laughed. “Honestly, if all your scheming leads to happiness for all those involved, who would ever complain?”
“I’m glad you see it like that,” she replied as she grasped his hand and pulled him to the door. “Come or we will miss the lighting of the yule log.”
Chapter Seventeen
WHISPERED WORDS
The great hall glowed warm and bright, the smell of evergreens lingering in the air, as Lord and Lady Cumberton’s guests gathered to watch the lighting of the yule log. Edith felt the warmth of that night in every fiber of her being because, no matter where she turned, she saw people in love. Indeed, Adele looked blissfully happy as she clung to Mr. MacKinnear’s arm, the look in his eyes as he gazed down at her promising a most wonderful life. Lady Mary and Lord Aberley, too, seemed transformed. Gone were the downcast eyes and the sullen expression upon their faces. Although they were not as expressive in their affections as Adele and her Scot, Edith could see with a single glance that their world, too, had been turned upside down…
…or rather right side up—finally!
“For once,” Jasper whispered in Edith’s ear as he leaned down to her, “my mother could not be happier with Mary. She was altogether speechless when she learned that her shy wallflower of a daughter had managed to catch a future duke.” He chuckled, shaking his head at his mother, who stood across the hall with other matrons, no doubt bragging about her daughter’s success.
Edith looked up to meet his eyes. “And you?”
Jasper let his gaze travel to his sister, her cheeks rosy from the warmth in the hall or the love in her heart—possibly both. “I’m happy to see her in love, to see her happy.”
Edith smiled at him, and her own heart skipped a beat as she looked into his eyes. It was an odd sensation but also one most wonderful. One she would cherish for the rest of her life!
Yet a hint of sadness overshadowed this evening; after all, once married to Mr. MacKinnear, Adele would go live with him in the Scottish Highlands, a place so far away that Edith could hardly imagine it. “I don’t want a long engagement,” she blurted out, turning her gaze from her friend back to her fiancé. “I want to get married as soon as possible so that Adele can attend.”
Jasper chuckled. “And here I thought you could not wait to become my wife!”
“Can I not have two reasons?” Edith asked teasingly, before her voice faltered, and she felt tears pricking the backs of her eyes. “She’s…my best friend. She’s like a sister to me.”
Understanding warmed Jasper’s eyes, and he pulled her closer, his hand closing over hers as it lay upon his arm. “I know,” he murmured, “and I understand. But know that no matter how many miles may separate you, nothing will ever sever the bond between you.”
Blinking back tears, Edith nodded.
Indeed, that night was one that Edith would remember for the rest of her life, and as they all stood together later, offering their respective well-wishes for their lives ahead, she knew that Jasper’s words would prove true. Nothing would ever come between them.
“Ye’ll always be welcome to visit us in the Highlands,” Mr. MacKinnear boomed in his Scottish brogue, his green eyes shining with deep affection as he looked at Adele. “I know my Addie would love nothing more.”
Jasper nodded. “The same holds true for Whickerton Grove. Please, feel free to visit us any time.”
Edith and Adele embraced, brushing away tears. “Thank you so much for everything, dearest Edie,” Adele whispered, her voice choked. “Without you,” she glanced at her fiancé, “we’d have lost each other.” A shudder went through her at the thought before she shook it off and smiled at her future husband. “You are the love of my life,” she told him, and her eyes returned to Edith, “but you, dearest Edie, are my hero.” She chuckled, embracing Edith again. “Thank you so much. For all you’ve done.”
Overwhelmed by her friend’s words, Edith held her tightly in her arms, wondering how much longer she had to spend with Adele, before her dear friend left for Scotland. Still, today had been a good day, an exceptional day, and she always looked on the bright side, did she not?
“Did you ever tell him?” Adele asked, once again brushing away tears. She glanced at Jasper before meeting Edith’s eyes again.
“Tell me what?” Jasper asked as his gaze moved back and forth between the two friends.
Edith chuckled, remembering that first moment when she had laid eyes on her fiancé. Had only a handful of weeks passed since? It almost seemed like a lifetime ago…or perhaps merely a day?
“The moment of our arrival,” Adele explained, a wide grin upon her face as she lifted her eyes to look at Jasper, “Edith leaned over and whispered something into my ear.”
“And what was that?” Jasper asked as he reached for Edith’s hands, pulling her closer. “What did you say? For I do remember the moment Lady Adele is referring to. I remember the way you turned to Lady Adele, as though you were challenging my regard for you.” He cleared his throat. “I wasn’t sure what to think of it, you had already captured my interest.”
Edith chuckled, delighting in the ease of their conversation. “I told her,” she whispered, holding his imploring gaze, “that I would marry you one day.” The way Jasper’s jaw dropped made Edith’s heart falter in her chest in a most delicious way.
“What?” He gawked at her. “How could you pos—?” Jasper broke off and shook his head. “No, I’m not even going to ask. Perhaps I’m simply not meant to understand.” He grinned at her. “I can live with that so long as you remain by my side.”
Stepping into his embrace, Edith smiled up at him. “Always,” she promised, hoping with all her heart that the days ahead would be happy ones.
But, of course, they would be!
